Yes. What you'll learn is that they use really big, heavy, cheap ones and dump them and a half a ton of chain or cable on the bottom in a big pile and call it good. Then they use a great whacking hydraulic drum winch to haul it all back aboard. Most of the time it works great.

Yea, doze fishermen sure do believe in heavy and big is best. Works to about 60 knots. Don't usually have trouble except in the winter gales. If you had a fisherman mentality you'd have gotten an 80lb Claw w 5/8ths, 1/2" and 3/8ths chain on a drum winch. Prolly w 200' of nylon too. Some use all chain though.

Pic #1: Boat arriving at Shawl Bay Marina. The big man (Steve I believe) in blue serves up pancakes every morning for everyone. The guy arriving w the boat was a very nice fellow and had many interesting features on his boat. Probably had many skills we'd all like to emulate too. The boat on the right belongs to Larry H here on TF. He had been there for at least a month at this point and he may yet be still there.

Pic #2: Not many but most Canadian fishermen have home made Northill anchors like this one. This one's SS and most are mild steel. I don't know how faithful the copy is but they must work very well. I think we only have one member w a Northill.

Pic #4: I never tire of looking at Tollies and this one, like so many, are in great shape probably say'in more about the owners than the boat. One of the wonderful things about this boat is the fact that visually unburdened buy the usual crap that many to most boat owners pile up on their boat. This Tolly hasn't been visually ruined by a dinghy, tents, excessive antennas, odd paint or a big bow pulpit. Just beautiful boat.

I appreciate the warmth and beauty of the green swamp that most of us Floridians see everywhere around us, but real cruising grounds like you've got up there with one amazing vistas after another......well, I sure hope that I'm able to cruise it myself someday. Thanks for the terrific photography, Eric.

Pic #1: While we were making 2 to 3 knots Chris worked away on her pine needle basket. She usually makes tea, reads books or woman's the helm. We haven't missed the autopilot on this boat. If the water's still Willy will go where you point her for several minutes at a time.

Pic #2: Going down Knight Inlet.

Pic #3: We had a great ride going down Chatham Channel just SE of Minstrel Is. This sailboat was barely making way (OG) bucking the current and we (luckily as we didn't plan it (didn't even know there was current here)) were making 10 knots at times. Judging from her wake the sailboat was about maxed out. It was a fun run. The sailboat is yellow.

On my 27" i-mac these pics are 5.5" X 7.5" and I wonder how big or small they are on other computers. My I-mac is big (got it for pics) but I sometimes wonder if you guys get smaller pictures. Of course before I downsize them they are full screen and about 6MB.

Port Nevile is a place I've been meaning to stop at for a long time and finally did. The history here is extensive and my recollection is sketchy so I'll not attempt it but I believe a lady and her daughter lived here for a long time and were very popular w visitors. And the place had a long history before they came.
The BC government used to maintain countless docks and floats and they always painted the railings red. Some are still left .. but barely.

Pic #1: The float at Port Nevile is rather small and the entrance to the back bay is shallow so much kelp is often here. There is also current. We were the last to leave and It's hard to leave such a beautiful place.

Thank you all very much,
I'm hoping to finish the trip here before I need to leave Thorne Bay and my i-mac computer. That will happen in a week or two and then I'll be on i-pad only and then at Starbucks or wherever I can get the wifi signal. Don't know how to post pics on an i-pad (I'm guessing it can be done) but my skills aren't up to it.

Pic #3: All three of us were bucking the tide. We were overtaking the small sailboat (something we don't do often) and we were all slogging along. Thought we may make Seymour Narrows at slack ... didn't. The sailboat didn't either. She turned off east to go down the back channels ... the way I've always gone before. We met the Lady (solo and from Vancouver) in the sailboat at Shawl Bay. Those independent Canadian women are amazing.